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Wedding Photos of Marriage

For Couples / Wedding Photos of Marriage

The following “Marriage” images were created by documentary wedding photographers from the WPJA, who regularly submit their best candid moments, artistic portraits, details, and scene setters for review by our WPJA competition judges.

WEDDINGS + ELOPEMENTS + ARTISTIC PORTRAITS & DETAILS + ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS

Some of the “Marriage” marriage photography samples below may have come from the getting ready events, the actual wedding ceremony, the reception after-party, an engagement session with the couple, or possibly be artistic portraits or detail shots.

FINE ART WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY: Our Artistic Guild award winners take a more creative approach to wedding day Portraits and use their innovative skills to capture the Details of each couple’s special day. The Artistic Guild’s Scene Setters are some of the most notable and breathtaking from within the artistic WPJA contest categories. Playing with light and shadow, special effects, and post-production editing, these images embrace the artistic component of wedding photography.

PRE-WEDDING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHY: The story of every couple starts long before the wedding day, and the engagement marks one of the most important milestones in their story. Engaged couples often want to celebrate the occasion and announce their upcoming wedding with a photoshoot. Pre-wedding portraits of an engaged couple can be just as moving and compelling as the images taken on the wedding day. Engagement portraits can win a Diamond Award, an exclusive WPJA award whose winner is selected from the best engagement photography in the world.

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An engaged couple embraces amidst trees near their Nantucket Island home in Madaket, MA, captured in a vertical black-and-white portrait. The image reflects their love and anticipation as they prepare for marriage.
Engaged Couple Embraces Amidst Trees in Madaket, Nantucket Island, MA | Vertical Black-and-White Portrait Captures Love and Anticipation as They Prepare for Marriage
engagedloveanticipationoutdoorshomeembracestrees
At Berthoud Pass, Colorado, an engaged couple on their backcountry skis and snowboard, showcasing their adventurous spirit. The snowy landscape and shared passion for the outdoors perfectly capture the bond that leads them toward marriage.
Engaged Couple at Berthoud Pass, Colorado, with Backcountry Skis | Snowy Landscape Highlights Their Adventurous Spirit and Bond Leading to Marriage
ColoradoPassionwinterbackcountryengaged couplemarriageoutdoors
At Yanik Mektep in Istanbul, Turkey, the bride receives a heartfelt and sincere look from her grandmother, bathed in sunlight. The scene is enriched with smiles, encapsulating the warmth and love shared on this special occasion.
Bride Shares Heartfelt Look with Grandmother, Illuminated by Sunlight at Yanik Mektep in Istanbul Wedding Scene
warmthTurkish weddingbride and groomsmilesmarriageceremonyheartfelt
At Sugarbush Resort in Warren, VT, the bride enthusiastically leads a conga line. This fun moment unfolds during her wedding reception, adding a playful touch to the festivities.
Bride Enthusiastically Leads Conga Line at Sugarbush Resort Reception, Infusing Festivities with Playful Energy
playfullovepartymarriageconga lineVermontcelebration
In Slatina, Romania, the bride carefully decorates the traditional wedding tree, adding colorful ornaments and ribbons to celebrate this cherished custom as part of the wedding festivities.
Romanian Bride Decorates Wedding Tree in Slatina Ceremony
Romaniatraditional wedding treecelebrationdecoratesromania brideloveSlatina
In Sologne (45), at their wedding party, the couple stands joyfully beside the cake table. Fireworks adding a touch to their celebration.
Couple Stands Joyfully by Cake Table Amid Fireworks
celebrationnighttimeSologne wedding partycake tableoutdoorsfestivecouple
At Silver Knot in Ronan, Montana, a groomsman delivers a heartfelt speech with a microphone during a barn wedding, while the bride and groom sit at the head table, laughing and enjoying the moment with their guests.
Groomsman's Heartfelt Speech Brings Laughter to Ronan Barn Wedding
joybridemicrophonelaughinghead tablebarn weddingSilver Knot
At Salomons Estate in Kent, during the marriage ceremony, the officiant holds his book while the bride and groom stand before him, both smiling warmly and attentively.
Bride, Groom Smile During Ceremony at Salomons Estate in Kent
Salomons EstateKentofficiantbride and groomcouplecelebrationhappiness
In London, UK, a vibrant explosion of confetti surrounds the happy couple. Their joyful faces light up the moment as they celebrate outside, adding a festive touch to their special day.
Confetti Explosion Surrounds Joyful Couple in London, UK, Adding Festive Touch to Special Wedding Day Celebration
confettiromancelaughterjoycouplespecialevent
At the reception venue in Le Val d'Azergues, France, the bride and groom's daughter makes a charming entrance to the secular ceremony. She carries a playful sign that reads "Papa forgets Avril Lavigne," adding a touch of humor to the occasion.
Bride and Groom's Daughter Charms with Humorous Sign at Le Val d'Azergues Secular Ceremony Entrance
momentgirljoyRhônefamilyRhône Wedding Ceremonydaughter
At the church in Chantonnay, France, the bride and groom share a romantic kiss after the religious ceremony. In the background, guests display a variety of reactions—some are kissing, others look bored, and a few are engaged in different activities.
Bride and groom share a romantic kiss at a Chantonnay church; guests show mixed reactions, from kissing to looking bored and distracted.
loveActivityinteractioncelebrationeventjoybackground
At Domaine des, the newlyweds warmly embrace the master of ceremonies in gratitude. This heartfelt gesture reflects their appreciation and adds a touching moment to the celebration.
At Domaine des, the newlyweds warmly embrace the master of ceremonies, a heartfelt gesture reflecting their gratitude and adding a touching moment to the celebration.
emotionjoyembracemomentCalvadostouchingheartfelt
Waterside Venue, Hertfordshire Bride looks out at guests with funny expression as she struggles to get ring on husband's finger.
Playful Moment: Bride's Hilarious Struggle with Ring Exchange at Hertfordshire's Scenic Waterside Venue
momentfunny expressionhusbandmarriageHertfordshire Weddingbridehumor
At Eu Castle in France, during the ceremony, the bride sits with the groom on a wooden bench under a tree, tears in her eyes as she is overcome with emotion.
Bride Overcome With Emotion During Ceremony at Eu Castle
touchingWooden benchweddingmomentFrance Ceremonyheartfeltmarriage
At a wedding in Melbourne, Victoria, a guest wants a selfie with the bride and groom. They pose happily together at the signing table at the outdoor ceremony.
At a wedding in Melbourne, Victoria, a guest eagerly takes a selfie with the bride and groom, who pose happily together at the signing table during the outdoor ceremony.
receptionMemorableMelbourne bridephotocandidselfielove
Newlyweds take a romantic stroll out of City Hall in Los Angeles, California after sealing their union with a signed marriage license.
Union Sealed: Newlyweds' Romantic Stroll from Los Angeles City
Los Angelesnewlyweds sealed unionnewlywedsCity Hall exitSouthern Californiamarriageromantic
Newlyweds share a private moment after signing their Ketubah at their Southern California ceremony location in Los Angeles. They are ready to walk the aisle and begin their marriage journey together.
Newlyweds Embrace Post-Ketubah, Ready to Begin Their Joyous Marriage Journey Together
marriagepost Ketubah signingLos Angeles weddingnewlywedsintimate coupleSouthern California newlywedsembracing their future
A touching moment captured in this photo of a groom shedding tears during his vows in the serene outdoors of Upstate New York, earning it a well-deserved WPJA Spotlight award.
Emotional Vows: A Groom's Tearful Promise in Upstate New York
lovemarriagedeclarationUpstate New Yorkaffectionateemotionalscenic view
A beautiful moment as the bride gracefully descends the castle stairs with her groom, on their way to their reception at Castello San Nicola in Trabia - a stunning scene captured by a talented wedding photojournalist.
Bride and Groom Descend Castle Stairs at Castello San Nicola in Trabia Captured by Wedding Photojournalist
Sicilynewlywedsweddingstunning receptiongracefulItalian Castlecastle wedding
The WPJA Spotlight award-winning wedding image captures the vibrant celebration of love on the marriage day as family and friends of the bride and groom at Château de Pierreclos reception venue with colorful smoke bombs.
Vibrant Love Smoke: WPJA Spotlight Award Image at Château de Pierreclos Reception Venue
WPJAPierreclosfamilymarriageBourgogne-Franche-Comtecolorful smoke bombsSaone-et-Loire
Experience the tender exchange shared between a husband and wife at the wedding table in Henley on Thames, UK, beautifully captured by a documentary wedding photographer.
Tender Moment Between Husband and Wife at Henley on Thames
Emotional connectiondocumentary wedding photographermarriageOxfordshire wedding photographeruk wedding photographymarriage celebrationwedding day memories
As they step into their new journey, the rain reminds the newlyweds that marriage is about weathering all storms together - Shot at the Wilburton Inn.
Newlyweds Embrace Rain as Symbol of Unity at Wilburton Inn
rain remindstogetherstormsWilburton Inn VTnew journeyweatheringUnity
Inside the grand Hull City Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire, the bride and groom's little son is gently hushed, adding a sweet moment during the wedding ceremony.
Bride and Groom's Son is Gently Hushed During Ceremony at Hull City Hall, East Riding of Yorkshire
vowsloveChildrenring bearerchildyouthfamily
At Castello Bevilacqua, Verona, Italy, the bride and groom share laughter and joy, moving through vibrant tunnels of waving ribbons held by their enthusiastic guests.
Bride and Groom Share Joyful Moment Through Ribbon Tunnels at Castello Bevilacqua, Verona, Italy
Veronasharingribbonsexcitedcastello bevilacquacastello bevilacquaItaly
Before the ceremony unfolds in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, a daughter is captivated, her face lighting up with wonder upon seeing her mother beautifully dressed for the wedding.
Daughter Looks on with Wonder as Mother Dresses for Wedding in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
family lovehappinessparentsfamily bondsgenerationsceremonyAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes
In London, UK, during the confetti celebration, vibrant colors burst into the air, filling the frame with a kaleidoscope of joy and excitement as they dance around the newlyweds.
Confetti Fills the Air in a Kaleidoscope of Joy Around Newlyweds in London, UK
city of lovecoupledancing newlywedsexcitementFestive Occasionjoywedding
Underneath the elegantly decorated wedding arch, a group of boys are engrossed in playing games on their phones, creating a lighthearted contrast to the romantic setting surrounding them.
Boys Engrossed in Phone Games Underneath Elegantly Decorated Wedding Arch
deviceOutdoordistractionmarriagesettingtechnologyBrabant Wallon
A playful moment captured by the talented WPJA photographer at the Marseille City Hall, where a young guest enjoys the wedding car while the bride and family chat nearby.
Wedding Fun at Marseille City Hall: Young Guest Play Drives Car as Bride and Family Chat
playfulcelebrationcandid momentcarefreechildmarriagechildhood
A groom's strong emotions are captured at Wildes Inn, as he tears up and receives comfort from loved ones upon the bride's arrival.
Groom Overwhelmed with Love at Wildes Inn as Bride Arrives
emotionsfamilymarriagekidfriendsChildrensupport
Witnessing her parents' love, the bride's daughter proudly delivers the wedding rings at the ceremony in Trélazé, France.
Proud Daughter Delivers Rings for Parents' Love: A Wedding in Trélazé, France
kidslovemarriageproud momentTrélazémeaningfulexchange

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WPJA contest judges have been recognized by their industry peers, winning top awards as staff picture editors, staff photojournalists, and newsroom mentors while working for these and other leading publications and journalism organizations.